Page 11 of A Little Bit Engaged
Cara’s concern was sweet but unwarranted. “No.”
He’d never built his reputation on something he wasn’t. Before he and Caitlin became a couple, he’d gone out with a lot of women. Dating Caitlin had helped him clean up his act, and he’d lived up to the role of a loving, loyal boyfriend. Once this charade was over, however, he didn’t want to go back to playing the field. He wanted to be in a committed relationship.
On the flip side, Caitlin’s sweet, wholesome reputation—a paragon of virtue and healthy habits—was nothing more than the result of her management team’s carefully planned packaging. She’d announced she was a vegan only to eat bacon cheeseburgers and drink milkshakes on the sly. She was more naughty than nice, less sugar than spice. Always had been, even when they were kids.
But her killer show business instincts had made them stars. Without Caitlin, he’d still be a bartender with the occasional commercial or guest role. She’d pushed him to audition for a movie being adapted from a bestselling young adult series set in space. They’d been cast as the romantic leads, and that one film became a mega-blockbuster franchise that propelled them into A-list stars.
“By the time my next movie comes out, this will have blown over,” he explained. “Another Hollywood scandal will be in the headlines. Mine will be forgotten.”
Two lines formed over the bridge of Cara’s nose. “Almost sounds too easy.”
“The public believes what they read or hear. All we need to do is prove what Caitlin said is true. We can plan a wedding and stage a few kisses to make our relationship appear legit.”
Something flashed on Cara’s face. More disappointment? Or was that laughter? Maybe he was reading too much into her reactions. It wouldn’t be the first time.
“Legit, right.” She sighed. “A real fiancée is the last thing a guy with a pretend girlfriend needs.”
Before he could reply, his cell phone rang. Caitlin’s name illuminated on the screen.
“It’s your sister.” He answered the call. “Hey.”
“Did Cara agree?” Caitlin sounded winded.
“Still working on that.”
She sighed. “I should have come.”
“That’s what I said.”
“Let me talk to her.” The words rushed out.
He handed the phone to Cara. “Here you go.”
Resignation crossed her features, and she raised the phone to her ear. “Hello.”
Brody understood. Few people could say no to Caitlin, including him.
“Yeah, he told me… I heard about you and Alek… But he’s married with kids… Oh, I didn’t realize he’d been separated for that long… That’s still a big change about wanting children… Yes… Let’s save discussing your wedding plans for another call. Pretending to be engaged to Brody isn’t going to—”
She rubbed her lips together.
Thirty seconds passed. A minute.
“No, I understand your reputation is at stake, but don’t forget about mine and Brody’s too,” Cara said. “Yes, I’m concerned about your mental health. Of course I love you, but I need to know if what happened during the interview was planned or impromptu… Really?… So the similarities to your movie just came to you?… Wow, you were lucky.”
Her voice sounded faintly sarcastic. She rubbed her neck and then straightened.
Brody wished he could hear Caitlin’s side of the conversation.
Cara shook her head. “I told you years ago I was fine with you and Brody dating… No, I’m not seeing anyone, but stop trying to make yourself feel better. Just because you’re getting married doesn’t mean Brody needs to pretend to marry your sister.”
He had to laugh at that.
“Wait… What did you say?” Cara’s forehead wrinkled. “Well, sure, not paying rent for six months would help me financially. That’s a generous offer… But what about Mom and Dad? If I agree, which I haven’t yet, promise you’ll tell them the truth about what’s going on… Fine, give me tonight to think about it. You’ll have an answer tomorrow.”
Cara hung up. Staring at her cat, she twirled a strand of hair with her finger.
His tense muscles relaxed slightly. Whatever Caitlin said to Cara was making her consider helping.
